The Adventure Basics workshop is designed to model the delivery of a condensed but carefully sequenced challenge course curriculum. Participants will learn both the basic technical skills of operating a challenge course as well as the facilitation skills essential to sequencing a program to maximize outcomes with participants. Adventure Basics provides an important first step for both understanding the flow and interplay of a group experience and for learning the skills to run an effective challenge course education program.

Beyond Basics is an advanced workshop designed to help the adventure practitioner acquire the requisite skills to effectively facilitate a low and high challenge course program. Emphasis will be on developing a deeper understanding of challenge course systems and cultivating a critical eye for safety. Some of the specific skills covered in this workshop are as follows: knot-tying, proper use of equipment, belay techniques, leading edge climbing, and basic rescue procedures.

Participants will complete 3 one-day workshops and complete a resource book of activities and facilitation tools that fit their professional practice. High 5 Adventure's one-day workshops present a variety of experiential-based activities focused on problem solving, communication skills development, asset building and reflection. Participants also gain an understanding of the foundations of experiential education and the philosophy of learning and community building through adventure initiatives.

This workshop offers educators and group facilitators from diverse settings an opportunity to gain practical skills in group facilitation and develop and refine their facilitation style. In a co-creative environment facilitators will explore the art of facilitation and practice their facilitation skills. Participants will leave with a variety of practical activities, strategies, and tools that will enhance their practice as a facilitator. Through hands on program design and implementation practice, reflection and input from peers, facilitators will gain new insights, resources and tap into their strengths as an educator. Participants will leave with practical tools to enhance their practice as facilitators.

The course is designed as an introductory experience intended to model a condensed but carefully sequenced challenge course curriculum. Participants will learn both the technical skills of operating a low challenge course as well as facilitator skills essential to the operation of an experiential education program. Introduction to Low Challenge Course Elements provides an important first step for both understanding the flow and interplay of a group experience and for learning the skills to run an effective adventure learning and challenge course program.

Managing an Adventure Program is designed to help adventure professionals manage an adventure education program and its many facets and details. The course is intended for anyone who has primary responsibility for the management of a challenge course site and/or adventure education programs at their school, camp or business setting. In addition to helping the challenge course professional learn essential management skills; the workshop also focuses upon improving one's analysis and judgment capabilities.

Enrichment of the background of students in education through the pursuit of a special topic in the area of experiential education theory, research, inquiry, or implementation pertinent to their interests and abilities. A chance for an in-depth study of a problem in the field of Experiential Education. Consent of a faculty supervisor and the Associate Vice President is required.

Tuition Information

Graduate credit is available at a rate of $185 per credit plus a $30 administrative fee per registration.

You can earn an additional two graduate credits available upon completion of a guided study project associated with your selected workshop.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are also available for most workshops at $15 per workshop. Please contact Gail Carr, director of continuing education, for additional information.

Earn Graduate Credit for High 5 Workshops

Register, pay for, and attend a High 5 workshop.

Complete Plymouth State’s High 5 Adventure Learning graduate course registration form. Indicate the name of the High 5 Adventure Learning online course you are enrolling for on the registration form. If you’re registering for additional a guided study project, you must clearly indicate this on a separate line on the same registration form.

Return the Plymouth State registration form (above) and full tuition payment along with:

A copy of your High 5 Certificate of Completion for the workshop(s) attended.

A 3-5 page reflection paper for each workshop attended. The purpose of this reflection is to review the learning experience and its application to your professional environment.

Once your paperwork has been received and you have been registered, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to you. At that time, a Plymouth State faculty member will be assigned to evaluate your 3-5 page course reflection paper. Students who register for a guided project will also be assigned a faculty member in the confirmation e-mail to evaluate the final project.